Solutions that don’t break the bank, reinvent the wheel or marginalize our teachers are within our grasp. We could have rigorous classes, safe and disciplined schools and treat teachers like valued colleagues rather than easily replaceable cogs, and we could do so tomorrow if we wanted. Disclaimer, this is an opinion and commentary site and should not be confused as a news site. Also know that quite often people may disagree with the opinions posted.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Superintendent Vitti's dangerous game

Duval County school superintendent Nikolai Vitti is playing
a dangerous game and the future of the city’s schools and many of its children
are at stake.

In the Times Union he said he was offering, some say bold,
some say reckless, his suggestions in order to bring students back form charter
schools. Before I continue I want to remind you that charters have been allowed
to open and expand at an unprecedented rate under Vitti. Furthermore several of
his closest advisors and ardent supporters represent charter school interests
and before you say his hands have been tied by the pro charter school
department of education and legislature other districts have been pushing back
and saying no.

If he is so concerned about the proliferation of charter
schools then why has he played a central role in allowing it to happen?

The superintendent has proposed blowing up the academic
landscape of Jacksonville and I encourage you to read the article to see all the
proposals, some of which like including the teaching of the trades I actually
like.

Now some of you might be thinking we need to blow the system
up and how can I argue with that, we are chronically underachieving. I would
like to say that if we got back to the basics, supported teachers and
disciplined schools then I think we would be doing much better.

But if getting kids back from charter schools that he helped
expand isn’t really his goal and how could it be then what is his play here?
What is he doing? Here are some thoughts.

He’s trying to destroy our local school district. He has
close ties to Gary Chartrand who would privatize the district in a second, he
has allowed charter schools to expand practically unfettered and of you look at
his ideas in total, it is a he bunch of crazy which is bound to shake the
confidence of parents and teachers.

He has to seem like he is doing something. Almost three
years ago when Superintendent Vitti arrived we were lagging behind the other
big six districts. Fast forward to today and we are still lagging behind the
big six districts.

He is trying to distract us. The problems at first coast, massive
teacher turnover, the lack of success from the QEA, upcoming school grades and
the list could go on and on.

He had ADD. He throws out ideas, most not fully formed as
often Clayton Kershaw throws out strikes and that’s all the time. Instead of
having twenty-five ideas and doing them all half ass wouldn’t it be nice if he
focused on a few, discipline, teacher morale and fixed them before moving on?

He sincerely believes these ideas will help. Hey how can you
really no what’s in somebody’s heart. I feel like this is the most unlikely but
hey who knows.